Ballandean Estate Nebbiolo 2018

Nebbiolo at the best of times can be very hard to get right and no doubt that is true in Queensland’s Granite Belt, a region that is making a name for itself with alternate varieties. This wine has good varietal typicity and is immediately savoury with dark berry fruits underpinned by layers of old spice, earth and raspberry – there is plenty to like here in what is a complex package. It’s then a riper style of nebbiolo that is fresh but without the hard acid this variety is famous for. But there is also a good backbone of tannin that will help it to drink well over the medium term. This is a solid, user-friendly introduction to this grape variety which would be best served with slow cooked beef cheeks.